According to The Sun, Leicester City and Southampton are among the clubs who are monitoring the progress of Danny Drinkwater at Chelsea. Both clubs showed a keen interest in signing him earlier this summer but having failed to do so, they are now eyeing a January move for the title-winning midfielder.
Leicester City, in particular, are believed to be desperate to secure the services of their former superstar who helped them win the Premier League back in 2016. But will it prove to be a sensible move by the Foxes?
Player profile and attributes
Danny Drinkwater initially made his move to Stamford Bridge last summer in a £35 million move from Leicester. But since then, the midfielder suffered two different kinds of injuries which in total kept him out for 130 days last season. As a result, he found it difficult to establish himself as a regular in the Chelsea starting eleven, making only five starts during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.
And this season, Drinkwater’s progress went further downhill when he was deemed surplus to the requirements under new coach Maurizio Sarri. The Italian mastermind’s possession-based style of play meant Drinkwater’s work-ethic and physical qualities in midfield were redundant in a Chelsea squad that has been reinvigorated by the former Napoli manager this season.
That being said, Drinkwater is still regarded as a top-notch midfielder who can ideally make a difference in any Premier League side. His ability to read the game has already helped him garner success in the English top flight while his competent tackling makes him an all-round midfield asset.
Why Leicester City need to re-sign Danny Drinkwater
Leicester City are in dire need of a new face in their midfield department, despite already boasting the likes of Adrien Silva, Wilfred Ndidi, Nampalys Mendy and Vicente Iborra. While Ndidi has made quite an impact in the English top flight, the other midfielders have appeared very inconsistent in the Premier League. Thus, the acquisition of someone like Drinkwater could boost the midfield department.
As mentioned earlier, the former Barnsley midfielder has ample experience in the English top flight and his work-ethic and determination could aid the Foxes in the middle third of the pitch.
Unlike at Chelsea, Drinkwater’s style of play could also chime in perfectly with manager Claude Puel’s hard-working philosophy, making him a tailor-made fit Leicester City.
However, the Foxes could face stiff competition with Southampton poised to make a fresh bid for the England international in January.
